Q: How can I help my child succeed in school?
A: Parents want nothing more than to see their children reach their full potential. As educators, we feel the same way.
Here are five of the best ways you as a parent can help your child succeed academically:
1. Stay involved and engaged.
We know that families are busy these days. It is tough trying to balance work and family. However, we also know that students who have parents who are actively invested in their education tend to feel more supported, and generally see a higher performance rate.
Take time to check in with your child to ensure that they understand the concepts they are learning. Develop a partnership with your child's teachers by attending parent-teacher conferences and making time to volunteer, even if only a few times each year.
2. Keep lines of communication open with your child and with their school.
Set aside time to talk with your child. You can do this around the dinner table, for instance. Ask probing questions, and listen actively. Communicate with teachers and support staff to find out how you can support your child's academic growth. You cannot follow your child around at school all day, so by talking with their teachers, you can get another view into your child's school life.
3. Advocate for your child’s needs.
As a parent, it is up to you to procure any additional academic or emotional support your child needs. Be proactive in checking on their progress or bringing any issues to light.
4. Read with your child daily.
Research shows that children who are read to at a young age develop higher rates of literacy than those who are not read to. As your child become older, they won't necessarily need you to read to them, but you can read with them.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Start a family book club. Let your child choose a book for you to read and discuss as a family.
Does your child want to see a movie that has already been published as a book? Read the book together first, then watch the movie to compare and contrast details.
Read the newspaper together and discuss current events as a family. This will help your child broaden their perspective and develop their vocabulary.
5. Use real-world experiences to apply new skills.
Math, for instance, can be applied in many ways: dividing pizzas into fractions, measuring ingredients to bake a cake, developing budget and money skills at the grocery store, to name a few examples.
Take your child on nature walks to discuss photosynthesis. Collect caterpillars to demonstrate the lifecycle of a butterfly.
Education is not confined to a classroom. As your child connects the concepts they are introduced to the world around them, they will learn more effectively.
Does your child need additional support? We are here to help.
If your child is struggling in school, you likely feel unequipped to help your children academically. We know that is one of the worst feelings for a parent. If it's time to seek intervention, you are in the right place.
Eagle Life Learning Foundation is dedicated to your child's academic success.
We would love to chat with you and help you determine your next best steps. Click here to set up a free consultation.
Photo Credit: National Cancer Institute by Unsplash
Comentários